Third consecutive year a Soudal Quick-Step rider finishes on the podium.
Jan Hirt produced a superb ride on one of the toughest climbs in the world of cycling, the infamous Green Mountain, to move up a considerable number of places on the general classification of the Tour of Oman and conclude this edition as runner-up, thus becoming the first rider in five years with multiple GC podiums here.
The extreme weather forced once again the organisers to modify the stage, but that had little important at the end of the day, as it was always going to be about Jabal Al Akhdhar (5.7km, 10.5%), the daunting ascent that has been decisive ever since being introduced at the Tour of Oman. As soon as the climbing begam, the breakaway began losing ground, becoming an easy target for the select peloton behind, which featured two Soudal Quick-Step riders: Jan Hirt and Mauri Vansevenant.
Inside the last three kilometers, the gradient stiffened, going into double-digits, which reduced the group to just five men. It was the cue for Jan Hirt to get out of the saddle and put in a massive acceleration to which only Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) could respond. The 2022 winner of the event rode superbly as the gradient began to bite more and more, catching and dropping the last member of the breakaway while putting daylight between him and the overall leader of the race.
It was only in the final meters that Yates outkicked Jan for the win as he came off his wheel, but the enormous amount of work and incredible effort the 33-year-old Czech showed on the Green Mountain were enough to elevate him second in the standings for a fifth career podium in a stage race.
“I was confident before the race as I felt I was in a good shape and I’m glad I could show it on this hard stage, especially after what should have been the first summit finish of the week was cancelled. I wanted to go for the win today, and if not possible, for the best result. I did my best and at the end of the day I am content with this result, and especially with my place on the general classification, it’s a big morale-boost. Actually, the entire Tour of Oman was a very good race for the team and I think we can all be proud of how we rode here”, said Jan Hirt.
Photo credit: ©A.S.O. / Oman Cycling Association / Thomas Maheux
